An evaluation of radical surgery for the postthrombophlebitic syndrome.

Abstract

Scores of articles are published yearly relative to the post-thrombophlebitic syndrome. In these articles it is apparent that the therapy of the post-thrombophlebitic syndrome is still highly controversial. Many authors * advocate a conservative medical program. Others † claim that the surgical approach is the preferable one. The medical treatment usually includes long periods of bed rest or at least marked restriction of physical activity. As a result, many days of work and pay are lost. Conservative management at best is palliative only and certainly not curative. Nevertheless, the conservative medical program is all we have to offer and is adequate for the average post-thrombophlebitic case. We propose in this paper to advocate for the late and seriously crippling cases radical surgical treatment and are presenting an analysis of 60 patients so treated to substantiate our claims. HISTORY In 1941 Homans 4 brought out the idea of ligation or partial resection